Bikini Resettlement Program

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Because of growing population pressures and a shortage of productively inhabitable land areas in the Marshalls, it 5.sthe obligation of the United States to’return to civilian uses any areas which are excess to its needs. The total land area of the,Marshall Islands is approximately 70 square miles. Witha 196’?population of approximately 19,000 the square mile ratio is 270. has a land area of land area slightly Bikini atoll is were conducted there 0.36 square miles. On the other hand, Bikini atoll in excess of two square miles. Its lagoon area is ... . greatly changed as a consequence of the tests which totally disappeared; others are mere sand spits; still others Ilavebeen diminished in size as a result of wave action; and all have suffered some loss of topsoil. Other than the main islands of Bikini and J@u~ they have a sufficient~Y high radiation level that continuous habitation is not yet possible and their dmaged condition precludes substantial agricultural development at this time. Bikini and Fmw are overgrown with a jungle-like stand of scrub vegetation which will sustain neither subsistence nor commerce. ‘lRismust be cleared and tineisland replanted to coconuts and other food crops. Additionally, all islands are littered with the remains of the testing programs. These remains, some of which ar(, dan~erous because of deterioration alonej some because of residual radioactivity, and others because they would interfere tJit21 or preclude agricultural redevelopment, must be removed before the Bikini people can be permanently resettled on the atoll. Housing and community facilities are non-existent and need to be

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The bulk o: the redevelopment e~bense is program Flz~ni3g pmymes the costs have

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to.live for the next several years on Killi and beciuse there probability that some of them will elect ‘LOrenain orIKilli rather t’nwn relocate themselves on Bikini, some improvements to housinG, ccfinunityfacilities, estimated at approximately Similarly, tineplight of the forrierEniwetok people, who have been relocated on UjelanG, requires attention. Tlnesepeopie Eniwetok shortly azfterthe removal of the Bikini yeople much swller Ujelang atoll. ‘IIReDefense Department has security requirer.entsfor Eniwetok are such that return not foreseeable. T%e Ujelangese arc in urgent need of improved housing, corcnh-:ity facili~ies, and agricultural resources, all of whit’nare currently beyord their Tl?ear.s. Tneir near ikqerate situation is highlighted ‘oythe impending end of the Bikini odyssey. Improvemn -t- to the lJjelz3ngeornmni’tyare esiiuated $80,000 for fiscal years 1970 and 1971. total resettlement program, inchdins clearing) redevelGp~lentOVer a five-yesr period, and essential improvements to the KilVi and U-jelang 1. Do notlhingnow, %ut let a few islanders return and reestablish residence on Bikini in its present condi-t:on. Tnis alternative isxiqectedbecause of the moral responsibilit~yas well

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. . Survival would be difficult and the redevelopment of Bikini W’OUM be a p~i~lfulti~ goal of assistinS the 13i1kiniansto build a new and model community. 2. ‘Defeiraction until required funds can he pro~rarmed in fiscal year 1971 and subsequent years. This delay is not recommended because of the world attention which has focused on the United States stewardship-of Bikini +md because of the Z!rust Territory~s need to resettle the Bikini people as soon as possible. - 3. Seek a fiscal year requirements which are most to cover costs Jdthoti~hreturn of Bikini could not he anticipated in time to be included in the regular 1969 apqropriatioa and although tineTrust Territory is well under its authorized ceiling, chances of obtaininG favorable actiofl for the redevelopment phase of the program are 4. ‘l%roughjoint consultation among interested agencies and the Bweau of the Bii~et establish a procedure whereby funds may be made available t’o ,. begin cleanup in the last half of fiscal year 1969 and reconstruction in fiscal year 1970. Other redevelopment expenses can be probnammed in su%sequerltyears. Alternative No. 4 is the recor.wendedcourse. Y

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. 1. Cleanup and redevelop facilities to accommodate on~y th:;fci[rc-burning islanders who could subsist in Bikini’s yrcsent environment. ‘Tiniiis rejected because of the need to resettle and provide as suitable an environment for all of the displaced islanders who ‘haverig’htsto Bikini and who desire to return, not just the few w-homight be disposed to attmipt to survive under Bikini:s present conditions. 2. Undertake a replanting and reconstruction program to accommodateall those W_Iodesire to return to Bikini nov. recommended because newly of growth before they are ylanted coconut trees requii-e sufficiently productive to provide subsistence and an export crop of copra. If all islanders desiring to return or economically desirable. ~.. 3. Replant the island; limit the number of resettled families in tine f:.-siir.crementto those who can be employed in construction, planting and orchard 7rainter-ante.Phase in other families in su%sequefityears. Tinerecommended resettlement program may be summarized as follo’/ls: .. Zhe main islands of Bikini and Enyu, which are those desi@ated by the AtomLc Znergy Comission consultants as being suitable for return and redev lGpment, s}.s31be cleared of test activity debris and cleared of scru”~vegct~tion so as to permit the replanting of the coconut groves and owner food crops. . T’ne~,500 foot airstrip on Enyu will ‘berehabilitated and the few salw.geable

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will be done in strips so as to permit t’he p2.antir;C of seedlin@ with intervening strips of existing vegetatj.onleft to control. ~le seedlings develop the erosion control strips will Gradually Replanting, estiriatedto require 100,OCO ruts should follo~~on debris and vegetation clearin~ on Bikini and EnYu. Clearing of other islaads should follow the cleanup of Bikini and Enyu. Tne other islands of the atoll will not be cultivated or used for residene”es for the foreseeable future. Clearing will c0m3ist of re~oval of test activiti~ bunkers which ’are ].ocatedon several of these islands. The Mkini and ETi~U Iunkcrs will also be left to provide storm shelter or other cormunity use. Bikin,iwas the population center of the prc-test comnanity and the Bikinizas hzve indicated they want their new villa~c cei~terloczted adJacent to Yae meeting ho~se, church, administrative facilities and scme wareh.ousirkgar.d (except for the school) which will be adequate at the outset facilities for the total anticipated population of Bikini. An addition The Bikinians wish to live on rather than in a village complex. to the school is This decision on a central water supply and,sewerege system although their part will precluci the relative dispersal will ‘ka-~eother health benefits. The Bikiniins have been Iivlng’in a village

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the first yec.rand six additional units yer year for the next i’iveyccws. Each unit will consist cook house, etc. Costs estimates per unit Bikini Pevlethave stzted a ~reference for Housing desi~ns are being prepared to meet include these facilities. !Efie tlneserequirements within the . Resettlement costs antici~te the relocation of 30 families as soon as housing is availa%le with additional families being phased into tilenew comii~nityas additional housing and plantings permit. Estirates ar”ebased upon an average of 6 pm-sons for each family. They also include a feeding of Bikiniar.sin the clearing and redevelopment ~]@i will diminish’the need for direct feeding subsidies Tending the rzjturationof tori.ercialand food ‘ crops. E@o~lent is a basic assum~~tionin the plans for Bikini and the cost Tk goal is to provide an attractive, healtllfuljIiveahle cmmnity fuily and adequately meeting the needs of the people of the atoll; one wlnichcan serve as a r,odelfor community develcqyr.entin other Pacific islands.

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responsibility to return the people of Bikini to their how.eislands from which they %’ereremoved for the convenience of the government twenty-one year5 2. Establish the principle that whenever lands are taken in the Trust Territory for defense related purposes, those lands should be restored to their original owners’for civilian use wlnencverthey become excess to defense needs. (Tnis princi~le should apply to all other United States Government a sound redevelopment ~rogran whic”nwill rake United defensible if not exemplary in the co~rt of world and &. Strengthen tileUnited Statesfs political posture in the Trust “ ?erri-toryand in the United Nations.

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for other facilities Trust Territory with in fiscal year 1969. ‘Thiscan be accomplished bjjthe ~:fla~ladministrative unit on Bikini in fiscal year existing assets and facilities and to place the atoll and administrative control. This can be acco~lished with funds currently a.%<ilable. Start the cleanup in tinelast half of fiscal yeair1969. Fund and begin redevelop~ent in fiscal year,1970.

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Some additional comments are in order witlnrespect to the eeon.omit future of Bikini. The basic resettlement program is de=igned to provide, period. The coconut is virtually the only commerc,$alcrop which can be grown on a coral atoll and it is essential diversified econo~ for the returned to life on such an building upon this The islands and the remarkable lagoon which might be developed to the ‘oenefitof base for a more provide a potential for tourism the Bikinians. Access is readily available because of the airstrip; the islands are potentially attractive if properly developed; they have an historic aura; some of the physical remains of the testing program are impressive and awe-inspiring; and there are existing recreational resources in the lagoon -- shelling, sport fishing, snorkeling. A third economic potential is research activity. Bikini has been the “basis for considerable study in nuclear-related fields -d the return of the people need not terminate such research. In,fact, the return of the people might well facilitate such work. T%e establishment of a research center on Bikini by the Federal Government or by universities and private organizations would provide employment and income possibilities for th6 local people. The Weather Bureau is already planning a weather station on the atoll. # These opportunities will need further exploration as the resettlement

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The AEC estimates cleanup costs at $1,200,000. get under way by the fourth quarter of FY-69. total estimated cleanup cost of $1,200,000 has II&S cost category includes prototype housing and ‘the= Costs in this category are It is hoped this work could For planning purposes the been allocated as follows: the survey trip”to Bikini facilities, and community Islands District Agriculturist. based on on-sit% survey madeby the Marshall Trucks and tractors Mist . equipment and supplies Other labor (20 men) After replanting is completed the orchard will have to be maintained during. the first five critical growth years. On an average basis, will include: Orchard manager $12,000 supplies and equipment 4,000

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Construction plans envision building 30 houses in the first year to accommodate approximately half of the present population of Killi (360). In the second and succeeding years through FY-75, the redevelopment plan calls for the addition of six houses each year so that by FY-75 there will be a total of 60 units, or sufficient housing to take care of about 360 persons. The Bi~ini people.want to reestablish their homes on their original %etos” or land holdings. This precludes cluster or “subdivision” planning, and means that the houses will be scattered,instead of being grouped in a commu?ity complex. Estimated costs of $6,000 Per house include cistern for water catchment, cook house, toilet, bath houses, copra crib, etc. The construction is programmed for completion in FY-70, “ assuming furidingcan be arranged. “The only construction scheduled for following years is the addition of six houses each year and the addition of expandable school facilities in FY-1973 to take.care of increased The various elements in construction cost estimates Freight and Transportation Supervision and labor Construction schedule through FY-75: are as follows:

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It is desirable to establish an administrative unit on Bikini as soon as,possible to place the lagoon islands under proper control; prote$t the area from squatters; protect existing assets; conserve thy ~ish~n~ resource for future settlers, and to provide administrative l~a~son w~th agencies and companies who will be involved in the cleanup and redevelopment. For this purpose it is,planned to assign a few staff personnel to Bikini by the third quarter of FY-69 to include: One boat operator (Micro.) 5,000 Other supplies and equipment 3,000 FY-69 estimated admin. costs $29,000 For the second and succeeding years the initial cost of radio and lagoon boat would not be repeated. However, if re-settlement begins ‘n ‘-70 additional staff would be required to include a health aide in FY-70 and a U.S. teacher in FY-71. It is assumed that by FY-72 all positions could be filled by Micrones”ians.

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way at the beginning of FY-70 and includes 30 most of these will be ready for occupancy by If construction gets under houses, it is assumed that the third quarter of FY-70. If the housing is planned and programmed on a “do it yourself” basis, some families may be able to return sooner. Re-settlement cost data has been projected on the assumption that 30 families will be resettled during the third and fourth quarterof FY-70. Aqother assumption i.sthat there will be an’average of six persons per family or a total of 180 persons (approximately one-half,the present Killi population)”in the first contingent. Transportation costs from Killi to Bikini are figured at an average of $50 - per person. A subsistence allowance is estimated at $3 per faniilyper day for ~he first half year. Continue subsidy 30 families @ Transportation for 6 new families Continue subsidy 36 families @ Continue subsidy 42 families @ Transportation 6 new families

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Continue subsidy 48 families @ Add 6 new families @ $3Jday 6,480 Continue subsidy 54 families Add 6 ney families @ $3/day 6,480 Transportation 6 new families 1,800

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Bikini redevelopment and re-settlernentplans require continued residence on Killi by”half or more of the pre’sentpopulation.of that island until the economic environment on Bikini”can support a larger population than will be possible until newly pJ.antedcoconut trees begin,,toproduce. It is also likely that there will remain on Killi a “colony of Bikinians. ‘ Therefore improvement of facilities on Killi is required at an estimated cost of $100,000. This will include improvement of the dispensary, school, water catchment> war”ehous~ngzetCO For planning purposes it is hoped to get sotiework on Killi under way in FY-70 and to complete improvements Ujelang is inhabited by approximately 350 islanders, descendants or relatives of the original group moved from Eniwetok. The Ujelang people have been hopeful of returning to Eniwetok but have been told this will not be possible in the foreseeable future. Ujelang coconut trees were planted in German times many years ago. They are beyond the age of maximum production. Amogram of replanting and thinning and rat control has been. facilities need immediate improvement, at an estimated cost of $80,000.